Merry Christmas from around the world [PHOTO BLOG]

What do Christmas celebrations look like in other parts of the world? In some places, World Vision throws big Christmas parties where disadvantaged children can enjoy the festivities and even receive presents. In other places, children participate in traditional celebrations that might look quite different than our American Christmas.

Wherever you live, Merry Christmas to you and yours. We pray the holidays bring your family the love and joy of Christ.

Gavar City, Armenia: For World Vision sponsored children in Gavar, in central-eastern Armenia, this year's Christmas celebration was arguably the brightest and most colorful ever! A theatre performance around the Christmas theme brought children together to performe Christmas songs and dances. At the end they received gifts from World Vision.

Tirana, Albania: Children in the north of Albania capital city, Tirana, celebrate together and enjoy Christmas with festive fun and face painting.

Winaypaj, Bolivia: The last day of school in December is celebration time for girls and boys at this local elementary school. Parents and siblings are all invited to enjoy music and traditional dances. This year, children have prepared a special Christmas dance where gifts are given to baby Jesus.

Phnom Penh, Cambodia: Christmas is commonly known as a happy time nearly ending of the year for many Cambodian people. Christmas tree and costumes tell people to be ready to enjoy this special event that comes once in a year. But to those whose life has accepted Christ as their savior, they take this event for granted to share the good news of Christ. The good news of Christ is that Jesus; he comes to earth with a new reason of salvation to all (John 3:16).

Quacha Birra, Ethiopia: Christmas, known locally as "Genna", is one of the big festivities in Ethiopia. Different from the rest of the world, Ethiopia celebrates Christmas on January 7 every year. The preparation for the celebration of Christmas begins some weeks before. On the eve of Christmas, mothers prepare all sort of food to be eaten on Christmas. On the early night of the eve of Christmas, people go to church for prayer. In this photo, bread prepared for Christmas is sliced.

Port-au-Prince, Haiti: Santa delivers Christmas gifts to children in one of World Vision's 15 early childhood development learning spaces in a camp in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. More than 1,200 children attend the learning spaces, located in large tents in camps for people displaced by the January 2010 earthquake.

Hlaing Thar Yar, Myanmar: The Hlaing Thar Yar West sponsorship community celebrated Christmas with a handwashing festival, which was both fun and life saving, with 11,000 children present.

West Virginia, USA: Children and families in the U.S. celebrate the Christmas season by decorating a tree with colorful ornaments.

Tacoma, Washington, USA: On Christmas day in the U.S. families exchange Christmas gifts with one another as a sign of love and cheer.